How much do you have to earn to be rich? Join our live look at the week

How much do you have to earn to be rich? Join our live look at the week

2017-04-21 13:40:06 UTC

2017-04-21 14:15:06 UTC
(35 minutes later)

3.15pm BST

15:15

Back to the idea of taxing the “rich” now, in relation to John McDonnell’s comments earlier in the week:

I think that it's a valid point that those on £70k and above can afford to pay a bit more NI and tax without choosing if kids are eating or not making the rent. Your not likely to need to visit a food bank on £70k

It isn't those on 70k who should be targeted it's the super rich and multi nationals.As usual McDonnell and co have no idea how ordinary people actually think.

2.58pm BST

14:58

'Share it, solve it': a new project for Instagram

Is there a person in your life who you can call a mentor? If the answer is ‘yes’ that’s great news. Hold on to them. If the answer is ‘no’, we hope it’s only a matter of time before you meet someone you can connect and grow with.

In the meantime, we’ve teamed up with a group of women who are inspiring, thoughtful and experienced. They’ve answered some of your career-related questions and dilemmas in a new series we’ve launched on Instagram Stories called Share it, solve it: mentoring on the go. Our ambition is to offer women around the world support and solidarity. You can check it out on our Instagram account: @guardian before 5PM BST today (stories expire after 24 hours).

If you have a question you’d like us to tackle next, you can direct message us on Instagram or email instagramstories@theguardian.com with ‘Share it, solve it’ in the subject line.

Excited to share a new series on @guardian'a Insta Stories. Check it out & DM me if you'd like to be a future mentor https://t.co/6bPqEhzpo0 pic.twitter.com/gyZjOb1TWr

2.57pm BST

14:57

We also like to highlight some of the other ways you can get involved with projects here at the Guardian, not only through our website. Next up ... Instagram.

Updated

at 2.58pm BST

2.51pm BST

14:51

Here’s another reader (following on from our post at 12.38) disappointed at the state of play for UK citizens living abroad and what that means for their voting rights.

How do you feel about another general election?

Well, as a British citizen in mainland Europe I was very angry at not being allowed a say in my own future. Brexit affects my right to live, work and ownn property where I was encouraged to move to after being made redundant in the UK, yet I was not allowed a vote! In order to quieten the ourcry against this injustice, May promised that we British citizens who were not allowed to vote in the referendum because we actually used our right of freedom of movement, would in future be allowed to vote in British General Elections. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/07/expats-given-vote-for-life-uk-elections-government-says

Although I am sure this promise will be as worthless as all her other promises, we need to pressure her to keep it so that we can vote in this election.

Here’s a just-published Guardian news story on the matter:

2.42pm BST

14:42

We’ll start to introduce some more topics again soon, including some that you might have a little fun with if politics isn’t your thing.

2.32pm BST

2.32pm BST

14:32

14:32

Here are a couple of your thoughts so far on wealth:

Here are a couple of your thoughts so far on wealth:

are you rich if you earn at least £70,000 a year?

are you rich if you earn at least £70,000 a year?

All relative, innit? You live alone in London and rent in the private sector you certainly won't feel it

All relative, innit? You live alone in London and rent in the private sector you certainly won't feel it

Imagine, if you will, that we decide to tax people on a global scale - a standard rate across the world.

Imagine, if you will, that we decide to tax people on a global scale - a standard rate across the world.

In the UK, you would be in the top 5% of earners, on a salary of about £14k. So you are taxed an additional rate due to being 'rich'. But this isn't fair, is it, because the cost of living in Mozambique is a lot cheaper than here - you aren't rich, but it is agreed that globally that is where 'rich' starts, and you are taxed accordingly.

In the UK, you would be in the top 5% of earners, on a salary of about £14k. So you are taxed an additional rate due to being 'rich'. But this isn't fair, is it, because the cost of living in Mozambique is a lot cheaper than here - you aren't rich, but it is agreed that globally that is where 'rich' starts, and you are taxed accordingly.

That's the £70k debate within the UK - £70k in Yorkshire, you will live like a king. £70k in London, well, you probably won't be able to buy a flat.

That's the £70k debate within the UK - £70k in Yorkshire, you will live like a king. £70k in London, well, you probably won't be able to buy a flat.

Living costs are really important in this debate.

Living costs are really important in this debate.

2.14pm BST

2.14pm BST

14:14

14:14

How much do you have to earn to be rich?

How much do you have to earn to be rich?

Charlotte Seager

Charlotte Seager

This question was thrown into sharp focus this week when Labour MP John McDonnell told the BBC Labour would be “looking to the corporations and to the rich to pay their share”.

This question was thrown into sharp focus this week when Labour MP John McDonnell told the BBC Labour would be “looking to the corporations and to the rich to pay their share”.

When pressed to define the rich, McDonnell said it would include those earning “above £70,000 to £80,000 a year”.

When pressed to define the rich, McDonnell said it would include those earning “above £70,000 to £80,000 a year”.

Many took up the question on Twitter, and unsurprisingly opinions were divided. The reality is that most people don’t earn more than £70,000 a year: according to data from HMRC earning this amount would put you in the top 5% of UK taxpayers.

Many took up the question on Twitter, and unsurprisingly opinions were divided. The reality is that most people don’t earn more than £70,000 a year: according to data from HMRC earning this amount would put you in the top 5% of UK taxpayers.

On Thursday, Emily Thornberry defended John McDonnell’s definition of rich, but conceded “there are many people on £70,000 who may well feel that … they are not rich”.

On Thursday, Emily Thornberry defended John McDonnell’s definition of rich, but conceded “there are many people on £70,000 who may well feel that … they are not rich”.

We’d like to know where readers stand on this debate: are you rich if you earn at least £70,000 a year?

We’d like to know where readers stand on this debate: are you rich if you earn at least £70,000 a year?

Updated

Updated

at 2.15pm BST

at 2.15pm BST

2.10pm BST

2.10pm BST

14:10

14:10

Lost and found – 14 years on

Lost and found – 14 years on

Matthew Holmes

Matthew Holmes

Away from politics I love this story by our colleague Tim Burrows, who lost his wallet at a festival over a decade ago and became a drinking game for the group of lads who found it.

Away from politics I love this story by our colleague Tim Burrows, who lost his wallet at a festival over a decade ago and became a drinking game for the group of lads who found it.

Tim tweeted the tale, and has since been fielding calls from journalists around the world.

Tim tweeted the tale, and has since been fielding calls from journalists around the world.

Feel like a harassed PA to my drunken 19-year-old self

Feel like a harassed PA to my drunken 19-year-old self

Do you have a similar story you think could go viral?

Do you have a similar story you think could go viral?

1.57pm BST

1.57pm BST

13:57

13:57

Right – we’re as exhausted as some of you seem to be ...

Right – we’re as exhausted as some of you seem to be ...

How do I feel about another election?

How do I feel about another election?

Despite being interested in politics to the point of obsession I felt like banging my head on the desk when May made her announcement. Last year we had a lot of focus in our area on the Labour leadership election, from July through to September, and prior to that our Assembly elections in May, plus the Referendum. Now in less than 2 weeks there's the council elections coupled with the GE and I think most people feel exhausted at the prospect.

Despite being interested in politics to the point of obsession I felt like banging my head on the desk when May made her announcement. Last year we had a lot of focus in our area on the Labour leadership election, from July through to September, and prior to that our Assembly elections in May, plus the Referendum. Now in less than 2 weeks there's the council elections coupled with the GE and I think most people feel exhausted at the prospect.

... so will move on to introduce some other discussion points shortly. You can of course continue to discuss all things election-related below.

... so will move on to introduce some other discussion points shortly. You can of course continue to discuss all things election-related below.

1.49pm BST

1.49pm BST

13:49

13:49

Amid all this discussion, this reader’s point seems rather important:

Amid all this discussion, this reader’s point seems rather important:

Just in case anyone on here isn't registered to vote, here is the link https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Just in case anyone on here isn't registered to vote, here is the link https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Please register and vote in June, we can all make a difference

Please register and vote in June, we can all make a difference

1.39pm BST

1.39pm BST

13:39

13:39

The big news? George Osborne's exit from the Commons

The big news? George Osborne's exit from the Commons

Frances Ryan

Frances Ryan

This week saw a wave of Labour MPs stand down from contesting the election but the big news was George Osborne’s exit from the Commons. It’s quite a fall for an ex-chancellor who, with a turn of the fates, could now be prime minister. Osborne will just have to make the best of a £650,000 deal with BlackRock, £800,000 for speaking gigs, a £120,000 stipend, a major book deal, and editing a daily newspaper.

This week saw a wave of Labour MPs stand down from contesting the election but the big news was George Osborne’s exit from the Commons. It’s quite a fall for an ex-chancellor who, with a turn of the fates, could now be prime minister. Osborne will just have to make the best of a £650,000 deal with BlackRock, £800,000 for speaking gigs, a £120,000 stipend, a major book deal, and editing a daily newspaper.

In a further loss to democracy, former Ukip leader Nigel Farage – so gloriously defeated in 2015 – announced he wouldn’t be standing this time around. Comfort yourselves with the knowledge Arron Banks – Ukip’s former main financial backer and full time charmer – has confirmed he will.

In a further loss to democracy, former Ukip leader Nigel Farage – so gloriously defeated in 2015 – announced he wouldn’t be standing this time around. Comfort yourselves with the knowledge Arron Banks – Ukip’s former main financial backer and full time charmer – has confirmed he will.

1.30pm BST

13:30

A few hundred of you have already voted in our poll (see here) asking about Theresa May and televised debates. It seems more of you want her to appear than not, and there’s fairly strong appetite for electoral rules to be changed to enforce her appearance. What do you think? And was this picture really taken only two years ago?

Updated

at 1.32pm BST

1.18pm BST

13:18

Here are a some of your thoughts on the timing of the election. A quick note: when we post comments up here you can click the time stamps to expand the conversation and reply directly.

‘It should have been called before Article 50 was submitted’

The election should have been called before A50 was submitted, it should have been based on proper manifesto and the public should have had the chance to read each parties manifesto and then question candidates on it. This is not about what is good for the public but what is good for Theresa May and the conservative party.

That being said none of us should object at a chance to get out and vote whenever there is an election, recent events in the world demonstrate just how important it is for people to use their votes and not simply shrug their shoulders and say 'nothing to do with me'. I hope that everyone, whatever their vote, remembers that.

‘There should be annual elections’

I am appalled that so many people do not want the opportunity to vote.

Do they really think that it is OK to let someone like Mrs May, who seems able to do exactly the opposite of what she said a few weeks ago without the slightest embarrassment, have five years to do exactly what she wants?

There should be annual elections. Those who find thinking about how to vote so bothersome should just not bother to vote.

‘It defies all logic and reason’

"There will be no election there will be no election there will be no election there will be no election.

.....Oh, hang on there will be an election.

Of course, the same people who screeched at Gordon Brown for doing something similar in reverse, lap this mendacious garbage up and want to vote for this script-reliant mediocre little bureaucrat, friendless in the Europe they want trade deals with ? You just couldn`t make it up, it defies all logic and reason.

Updated

at 1.18pm BST

1.07pm BST

13:07

Here’s a quick plug for an interesting live Q&A session readers were involved in with our political editor Heather Stewart on Tuesday, just a couple of hours after May made her announcement.

The hour long conversation included analysis as well as some discussion of the way the Guardian’s political team in Westminster plan to cover things – and is worth a read.

Updated

at 1.08pm BST

12.55pm BST

12:55

'This was an election she did not need to call'

Anne Perkins

On Tuesday morning Theresa May ambushed the country by announcing a general election. The statement she made in Downing Street laid the foundation for a campaign framed by the idea that it would be an act of self harm to vote for anyone except the Tories. Stripped down, it said “make me strong forever by destroying the opposition who are useless incompetent failures (Labour, Lib Dems) or malevolent string pullers (the SNP)”.

This was an election she did not need to call. She has called it because it is very likely to reinstall her in No 10 for long enough for the really nightmarish cuts that are already penalising larger families, anyone who finds themselves homeless in London or most other major cities, anyone looking for work, and most families with school-age children to have become normalised. So, she must hope, will the economic consequences of a decade of austerity and the shock of Brexit. That is why it struck me at the time as a kind of democratic coup. It may not be illegal but who would question that she’s seizing power?

12.48pm BST

12:48

Here’s a perspective from outside the UK:

I feel completely indifferent because I've lived abroad for 16 years and don´t get a vote, despite being promised one in the 2015 Conservative manifesto and again by Mrs May's constitution minister last October.I don´t think citizenship is necessarily the best criteria for granting voting rights. I believe permanent foreign residents in the UK who work and pay taxes should get a vote before I do, but that's never going to be permitted to happen. But if citizenship is the criteria, it should be applied fairly.

Are any other readers in a similar situation?

12.38pm BST

12:38

Poll: should Theresa May join televised debates?

Theresa May has said that she won’t appear in live televised debates in the run-up to the election on 8 June, with opposition MPs accusing her of running scared during PMQs on Wednesday.

As well as wondering your opinion on that (you can share yours in the comments) we have a poll asking whether it should be up to her in the first place. What do you think?

12.36pm BST

12:36

We’ll share some more of the conversation you’ve been having below the line again soon. First, though, we have a poll on one of the issues of the week so far – televised debates.

12.19pm BST

12:19

Here are some of your thoughts so far:

How do you feel about another general election?

High risk, and a necessary distraction from real life! Hi everyone.

How do I feel about another election? Depressed because it seems to be a foregone conclusion that 'they' will get in again.

And an early election distraction ... One to watch?

The big election story so far, which I don't believe the Guardian have covered as of yet, is that a man naming himself Mr Fish Finger, dressed up as a giant fish finger, is standing against Tim Farron.

Politicians usually like to brief favoured journalists and newspapers ahead of key announcements, so it isn’t that often that the entire political media is taken by surprise. But that happened this week, as Theresa May made the surprise announcement of a snap election. We’ve struggled in the office to talk about anything else since.

From the polls you might think it is going to be a foregone conclusion. But it is an important one for the country. A Conservative victory will be treated as an endorsement of whatever kind of exit from the European Union Theresa May manages to obtain. And it also means that her government will have extra breathing space after the day of Brexit before needing to go to the polls again. If the UK crashes out of the EU badly in March 2019, May will have until June 2022 to turn things back around. It’s an election that we didn’t need, and as David Robjant wrote to our letters page:

A woman who always keeps her promises has called an election she promised not to, in order to obtain a mandate she says she already has, for a policy she said was a bad idea.

Jeremy Corbyn, and whether the PLP will be whole-heartedly supporting him, will be under intense scrutiny. The attacks on him from the Conservatives and right-wing elements of the press will only intensify. But he’s also repeatedly demonstrated he is much more effective on the campaign trail than many judge him to be in Westminster - witness his two victories in Labour leadership contests. He’ll be carrying a message that will definitely resonate with a section of the country. As my colleague Jessica Elgot put it: “Corbyn launches his campaign with attack on elites and establishment. May launched hers dropping into a golf club in a helicopter.”

12.05pm BST

12:05

Welcome to our social

Sarah Marsh

Hello everyone and welcome to our weekly social. Today we will tackle everything from the general election to some less serious and political subjects, such as The Simpsons. Join us below the line, and make your suggestions for what you want to cover from noon to 4.30pm BST today.